Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-29
Written for THE EVENING STAR
A VALUABLE NEWS ITEM.
BY CLARA ]. CLINGAN-
Copyright, 1877

In large, dingy room pi!eu up Win papers,
Charles Norway sat before an open desk looking
over a yolurainois heap of proofs He was good
looking young man OF the blonde type, having a
cnuntenapee fun OF blended keenneSs and good
nature while his smoothly shaver face and pre-
mature badness gave him certain distingue air
that was at times of practical benefit to him.
Norway had been in the newspaper business ever
since he could remember. As long ago as when
he had worn long curis and knee-pants, he had
been Office boy in the employ OF Horace Greeley;
and once, when an irate assistant on the paper
had in a moment Of wrath at some misdemeanOr,
rubbed bottle OF blue ink into the sunny brown
OF NOrwayS Curls, Mr.. Greeley had shown his dis
approval by a sharp rebuke TO the perpetrator of
the rash act, and, taking the boy by the hand,
himself conducted him to a barber and superin-
tended the removal of the ink. Later in the day
OF life Norway grew, by process OF assimilation,
into full nedged reporter. He had way OF per-
suasion which wOrmed secrets ont OF people before
they knew II: and he also had nice diScriInina-
ton, enabling him To- make good any deficiencies
even better than the narrator Of the facts himself
could have done II. when ne was in the regular
course OF his profession. elected from place, he
had way OF reappear1ng, quietly. modestly ana
with sort OF sweet, fnOffen-fve dignity, not once
only, but with constant regularity, until the
stoutest heart quailed under the persistent viSi-
tations and ne gained his desired point. These
qualities combined made him q successful news
Eatherer; and ne also possessed some literary
ability, he gradually rose In his profession. A
few months before the opening OF our story he
had accepted position as night editor Of the
'.Pro and Con" an enterprising Chicago daily.
Norway had come 10 Chicago before the fire. Just
In time In fact. tn b. caught in an adventure in
the great cOn1agrafiOn. IL was not much OF an
adventure after ali; and only that it concerned
remarkably pretty girl, Norway would have prob
ably remembered it, In ut all, as mere incident.
In the confusion of escape from "a burning build
ing the young lady, who was a mere school girl OF
about fifteen years OF age had become separated
from her friends. and finding her alone and terri
ned be did lust what be would have done had she
bSypr a hp her N a
OF safety as soon az he could The young lady was
o1ly half dressed. and her thick, silky black hair
hung below her waist in one wlnd-blOwn, tangled
braid while her small bare feet were hastily thrust
Into slippers She had thrown a dark mantle over
herself and this, being without sleeves, compelled
her TO put forth bare white arm as she chung TO
her protector IN the wild confusion of that terri
BILE night. At one time, when they came TO for
ifiabie pile of Scorching bricks directly In their
path, he had taken her IN his arms
as though she were child and car
lied her scroSs. while she, frightened
at the falling walls. which seemed ready to
crush them they fed, instinctiyely clasped her
SOFT bare arms around his meek. Norway, from
his earliest years had been alone in the world.
without the endearfDg influences of mother or
sister: and the child-ike trust and confidence OF
The young stranger, aroused and strange
feeling within him. Though a fayorite In general
way, with all women, he had never been in love;
but he lost his heart, somehow, TO the beautiful
young girl that eventful night, which, as he looked
back upon IL, seemed Ike happy episode OF
another world. In after years whenever Norway
heard anyone descaDt the horrors of the Chicago
nre he always said he rather enjoyed conflagra-
tons OF that kind, and wouldn't mind going
through With another. No; nor would he have OBJ
1ected TO living In continual alarms, anywhere, IL
he could but see again the face that had so per-
sistently haunted his Imagination ever since For
Norway, with All MS jolly, happy-go-lucky dispO-
sition, had che OF those very rare natures, upon
which strong impression is indeIibe for all time.
SO Norway, at twenty-nine. was bachelor and
likely to remain So He never knew who his COM
panion was, for Just as they reached place OF
safety on the border OF the lake chance led them
right 10 some Of her missing relatives who were
n pr nc
Yet searching Tor her. Norway did not wait to be
thanked, and he had never seen the young lady
again.
As he sac that afternoon engrossed with the
proofs. a boy entered.
"Chief wants 10 see you. Mr.. Norway" he SAID.
Norway said very well. and presently betOOk
himself TO where the editor in chief, Mr. ThOrne
sat in a large leather chair smoking and abSently
folding up sheets OF paper which ever anu anon
he tore into infinitesimal bits, scattering them
over the floor al his feet. This was confirmed
habit OF Mr. Thorne1S when meditating; IL as
sisted his thoughts TO flow easily, and also i'm
parted distinct individuality 10 the room. IL was
conceded by every one who had ever been in ft
that this apartment exceeded in wild and hideOus
disorder any other given number OF square feet
ever incioSed within four walls. As Norway an
preached Mr.. Thorne looked calmly st him over
vast accumulation OF unanswered letters and
spoke:
you've heard of this Berthold affair" he
asked
"A very little The people concerned are pretty
close-mouthed. and won't say a word. There's a
good deal of curiosity about it, all over town Old
u.
.eYes. The facts, If we can get at them. will
make good layout for the Monday paper, eh?'
'.YeS; IL We get at then.7
'.yoU c0n, said Mr. Tnorne in his thin cold
voice. '.There Is not another man on the paper
however. that think can manage the case. 50, ii
you Will consider yourself of duty with regard TO
everything else and make the next twenTy-four
hours tell in thai, direction, YOU Will place Inc
under an obligation which shall remember"
Norway laughed and departed on his mission
He went home and dressed as carefully us possible
and then TOOK car 10 the West Side. Here on one
OF the pfeasantesd Streets IN large, magnificent
mansion With corresponding grounds, lived Mr.
Amos BerthOid- a wealthy retired merchant for
Inerly In the India trade In another section OF
the town lived a brother and former partner and
the two brothers had quarreled bitterly there
being some little domestic scandal involved in the
affair The high standing OF both parties had
called particular attention 70 the matter and pub
JIG curiosity bad risen 10 high pitch the latter OF
which many OF The daily papers had attempted to
aSsIage by hints and conlectures; but, as yet,
nothing was definitely known
IL requires certain degree of nerve power tn
cooiy seek admission TO a mans house with the
aEo~ed intention q learning il possible what that
man distinctly desires 70 conceal and Norway felt
the truth OF this more fOrcibly than he had In any
former experience OF the kind. he walked I'D the
granite steps and rang the bell. coiored man
answered the summons, and promptly replied to
Norway's inquiry IL Mr. Berthoid was in rhaf he
was but would see no one Thus delayed. but not
discouraged, Norway took a brisk walk and re-
turned in half an hour with the same Grand This
time very pretty waitress opened the door, She
gave the same report as had her predecessor
But think ne viii see me; my business is very
HnpOJanA> sara norway perSu3Slyely. "AJ least
be 80 kind as 10 take up my card" He gave her a
plain visiting card "And see-for your trouble
all0w me 70 present you with a few bangles
He dropped 1ve little shining gold dollars into
the girls hand; and whether it was the master
Stroke OF the B0n0ses, or The winning smile that
Ompanied the gin, the girl after a moments
hesitation allowed him 10 enter and seated him in
sssnsA reception rOom-
After a few moments OF waiting q poTtly
apcpaecrc looking gentleman In dressing gown
and slippers entered, studying the card with a
bored expression
Il don't remember you, MI Norway. he began.
urDsremon1oUdy- 'But I'm told your business Is
veg important What can do for your
II have The honor, Sir, said Norway. seriously
and gently, -of representing the Pro and Con /
have called for the purpose OF taking il such IS
your pleasure, statement from you in regard
10
statement. i say statement, burst forth the
1rate Odd gentleman, forgetting In his wrath 10 be
Idiot? Let me tel you, young man, for your own
oeDent. that I've had sixteen reporters kicked
dJwn The steps Yes, SIR, and into the street.
within three days The longer IL takes YOU 10 get
out OF the house the more help you will be likely
10 receive on the way. james,
The black servant appeared. NORWAY walked
quietly into the hail took his nat from the rack
and, with his hand on the doOr-knob said VIII n
that INN put courteous manner 50 hard for even
the most violent 10 interrupts:
mt BerthOd, came here in your own interest
anu IN about tft- consulted his watch IAN hour
ana 4 half shall return With the same Object in
view. when shall receive from your own hands n
written statement Tor publication In the Pro and
Con GOOd-day. sir
without waiting 10 note the effect of his mart
ing words he closed the door behind him and hiatt
Il q N rt..sr